The equation 5x^2 + px + q = 0, where p and q are constants, has roots t and t+4. Show that p^2 = 20q + 400.

We know that if we have a polinomial of the form ax^2 + bx + c = 0, then:sum of the roots = -b/a and product of the roots = c/a Therefore: t + (t + 4) = -p/5 and t(t + 4) = q/5 Therefore: 2t + 4 = -p/5 so t + 2 = -p/10 and t^2 + 4t = q/5 so (t + 2)^2 = q/5 +4 Sub. the first relation into the second one: p^2/100 = q/5 + 4p^2 = 100(q/5 + 4) = 20q + 400 Therefore: p^2 = 20q + 400

AB
Answered by Alexandra B. Maths tutor

4617 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How to solve Simultaneous Linear Equations, e.g. (4x + 5y = 17) and (3x + 2y = 4)


Solve the simultaneous equations: y=x^2 + 3x + 7 and y=x + 10


how am I meant to solve sq.root(6^2+8^2) = cube.root(125a^3) when one side is squared and the other is cubed?


How many 4 digit numbers are such that the first digit is non-zero and it is overall a multiple of 5?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning